Umahi withdraws request to delay ruling
Embattled Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has withdrawn an application for a stay of execution on the order of a Federal High Court, which removed him from office.
Umahi’s counsel, Chukwuma Ma-Chukwu Ume, SAN, prayed the judge, Inyang Ekwo to withdraw the application.
Justice Iyang granted the request, to which the plantiff’s (the Peoples Democratic Party) lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala, did not oppose. The case was struck out accordingly.
Also affected by Justice Ekwo’s ruling are Umahi’s deputy Kelechi Igwe and 16 lawmakers who defected from the PDP to All Progressives Congress.
The judge also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to immediately receive from the PDP, the names of its candidates to replace them, among others.
NAN, however, reported that on March 10, Governor Umahi and others had sought an order of the FHC Abuja, staying the execution of its judgment directing them to vacate their offices over their defection to another political party.
In a motion on notice filed by Ume, the applicants also prayed the court to stay the execution of its order directing INEC to receive other names in their place or hold a governorship election in accordance with Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal dated and filed on March 9 by the appellants, among others.
NAN
